About Me

Ryan Karben is the Principal of the Law Office of Ryan Karben and Excelsior Public Affairs. Ryan’s observations on the law, politics and policy have been quoted in newspapers across the nation, from the Christian Science Monitor to The New York Times.

Over 20 years in politics, government and law, Ryan has seen the good, the bad and the ugly of how to argue cases, pass legislation and win elections.

From 2007 to 2011, Ryan was Managing Director of Mercury Public Affairs, an international public strategy firm, where he implemented state government public strategy and lobbying efforts for clients in the environmental, energy and health care sectors.

Ryan was a New York State Assemblyman during the 2003-04 and 2005-06 legislative sessions, earning a reputation as an independent lawmaker. Ryan uncovered secret legal settlements for injuries caused by a prominent utility, wrote the law requiring greater disclosure of the carcinogen MTBE and was Chairman of the Subcommittee on Renewable Energy. Ryan also served as the Democratic Party’s Majority Leader on the Rockland County Legislature .

He was previously associated with the New York law firms Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP and Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett.

Ryan graduated with honors from Columbia University School of Law in 1999.